MazdaDrivers at VIR Grand East following the Marque Madness

[e30m3sm]

Ethan: I will be the classroom instructor for all 3 student run groups. I have driven my spec miata for the past 7 yrs on most of the tracks in the Mid-Atlantic and NE.

The GE at VIR is one of my favorite tracks as it was for my friend and mentor, the late Richard John.

[Ethan Blank]

Ethan: I will be the classroom instructor for all 3 student run groups. I have driven my spec miata for the past 7 yrs on most of the tracks in the Mid-Atlantic and NE.

The GE at VIR is one of my favorite tracks as it was for my friend and mentor, the late Richard John.

I have no basis of comparison, having only participated in one prior HPDE. But, it was a great challenge for me, and I really felt that in the short time on track I managed to imrove significantly.

I did hear from Dave, he said I should speak with him after the event but that he is willing to accomodate my request to get the discounted rate.

Gerry, would you recommend that I run with the top down?

Ethan

[e30m3sm]

Yes, top down but please be aware that VIR will impose the broom stick test on your roll bar. Simply stated to top of your helmeted head needs to be 2" BELOW the height of the bar. Also, you may have instructors who don't want to ride in a convertible, at least w/o arm restraints.

(In the event of a rollover, arms can and often do flail about and are subject to being crushed by the bar and the ground.) A factory fiberglass hardtop in conjunction with a good roll bar is the safer way. A full on cage with hardtop and proper 5/6 pt harness is safer still. If you are not sure about passing the broomstick test then bring your bimmer down.

[FT]

The weather report is getting worse unfortunately, hopefully the rain and thunderstorms are really scattered

I also just installed my G2X data logger and it will be a hoot to map the Grand East

[Ethan Blank]

Yes, top down but please be aware that VIR will impose the broom stick test on your roll bar. Simply stated to top of your helmeted head needs to be 2" BELOW the height of the bar. Also, you may have instructors who don't want to ride in a convertible, at least w/o arm restraints.

(In the event of a rollover, arms can and often do flail about and are subject to being crushed by the bar and the ground.) A factory fiberglass hardtop in conjunction with a good roll bar is the safer way. A full on cage with hardtop and proper 5/6 pt harness is safer still. If you are not sure about passing the broomstick test then bring your bimmer down.

I did the broomstick test already, when I remove the padding in the seats (Corbeau Forza, both sides) it was OK. I have 5 point belts both sides, so hopefully instructors will be OK with that. I hope they have the microphone/speaker device, even in my 335 I couldn't have heard my instructor last time without it, I imagine that would be the case for sure in a Miata.

I only have the soft-top, so the hardtop is not an option at this time.

[1996 328ti]

The weather report is getting worse unfortunately, hopefully the rain and thunderstorms are really scattered

Scattered as in Danville and not Milton?

[e30m3sm]

I did the broomstick test already, when I remove the padding in the seats (Corbeau Forza, both sides) it was OK. I have 5 point belts both sides, so hopefully instructors will be OK with that. I hope they have the microphone/speaker device, even in my 335 I couldn't have heard my instructor last time without it, I imagine that would be the case for sure in a Miata.

I only have the soft-top, so the hardtop is not an option at this time.

I am glad you are OK on the broomstick test.
Instructors are required to have an in-helmet communicators so you should be able to hear all the spoken instruction..